Life of Crime

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes
Watched With: Mat

They are going to run out of Elmore Leonard novels. But once again we have a really fun crime tale, this one set in the 70's and full of fun period style too. This one has a great cast too and a story that keeps turning, all leading to an unexpected but funny end point. Very enjoyable.

Step Up All In

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes
Watched With: Tamara

The pretty boy from Step Up 4 and the chick from Step Up 2, both now broken up with their significant others that we were so invested in, come together to try and prove that dancing is a viable source of income.

It's more of the same, the terrible acting and unsubtle story beats that land with a thud are all here as well as the dance crews doing what they do. Unfortunately I missed out on seeing this one in 3D which would have been the biggest drawcard for me. It can't be that hard to write something with the slightest of substance? Maybe they don't trust their dancers to deliver on the acting front. Whatever the case, I'm hoping the next film is set is space.

The Equalizer

IMDB

First time viewed: Yes

Current Release: Yes

I don't know the source material. But I can only imagine it's better than this, the epitome of modern generic action/revenge films. The only thing this film really has going for it is the brand name recognition and a few stars. Denzel Washington does what he does. Chloë Grace Moretz wishes she had a character written half as well as Jodie Foster in Taxi Driver. They do what they can, and the film looks alright. But this is just run-of-the-mill and forgettable. Not even offensive or bad, just, meh.

Princess Mononoke

IMDB
First time viewed: No
Current Release: No
Watched With: Erin

Write Up.

Great film for a lazy afternoon.

The Boxtrolls

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes

Laika Studio's latest is a really fun little flick with their usual detailed stop frame animation on full display, looking amazing in 3D as well. They've added in quite a lot of CG atmosphere and some motion blur in this one which does take away a little from the stop frame look, but overall it's a stuffing film visually. 

It's got a really fun story and an amazing voice cast bringing all these ridiculous characters to life. I didn't even recognise Ben Kingsly. It's also very funny, there were a few moments I was laughing out loud at jokes that went over the kids heads.

It doesn't quite have the same appeal as Paranorman for me, simply because the subject matter in that film is right up my alley, but it's well worth a look on the big screen in 3D. Really fun time. And there's a beautiful shot midway throughout the credits that pulls back the curtains a little, that was amazing.

The Infinite Man

IMDB
First time viewed: No
Current Release: Yes
Watched With: Tyler, Scott, Tamara

Write Up.

Great film! Check it out now. After seeing it a second time I have one or two questions about how certain bits link up but that's just me getting really nit-picky with the time travel.

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist

IMDB

First time viewed: Yes

Current Release: Yes

Watched With: Tyler, Tamara, Erin

I really like this teen night out film from a few years back. It's got a great cast and a fun vibe that's I felt managed to avoid being too hipster for its own good. It's also the first time I remember seeing Ari Graynor. Her subplot and the chewing gum make quite an impact. Fun times.

All Cheerleaders Die

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes

I generally like Lucky McKee's films, here he's partnered up with Chris Sivertson, whose work I'm unfamiliar with, to remake one of his short films into a feature. Or multiple features as the ending promises.

This one is super silly. It has some fun bitch teen characters and a whole lot of weirdness and witchcraft. It really feels a bit all over the place though, the tone jumps around. There's definitely stuff in here I liked but I'm not sure it works overall. But maybe this will be something that can be improved with the next instalment? We shall see.

Planes: Fire & Rescue

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes
Watched With: Ryan

Had to go a little out of my way, but I managed to see this one in 3D this time. And while I'd say it was worth the effort, it really hi lights just how quick and cheap they seem to be putting these out. Besides the big landscape fly overs all the scenes took place with a small foreground 3D set and then a flat backdrop in the distance. Most of the time it looked like a small stage with painted backdrop.

Now I really didn't care much for the first film. This one I'd say is marginally better, if only because Ed Harris is always marginally better. There's really not much here but the kids are going to go see it anyway.  Ah well.

Sin City: A Dame to Kill For

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes
Watched With: Ryan

The world of Sin City looks amazing in 3D, the graphic style really lends itself to some bold uses. And I've always loved the style of the first film so aesthetically, it's really fun to spend some more time in this world.

Unfortunately the stories being told this time around just fail to connect. None of them seem to pack the punch or have the urgency or satisfying closure of the bite sized noir tales in the first film. I left feeling pretty underwhelmed.

Hot Fuzz

IMDB
First time viewed: No
Current Release: No
Watched With: Ryan

Write Up.

Love this film. Watch it with the dvd trivia track on this time. There's some pretty funny stuff in there.

Fired Up!

IMDB
First time viewed: No
Current Release: No
Watched With: Erin, Tamara

This is one that I dreaded going to see at the cinema, the trailer looked awful. However I was pleasantly surprised and ended up really enjoying it. Will Gluck's first directing credit and although it's really standard stuff the cast and the jokes make it work well. A really fun time if you're in the mood for it. And one I find myself quoting all the time. This one was pretty much overlooked when it came out but it's worth a watch!

Ping Pong Summer

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes
Watched With: Tyler

Write Up.

So much fun. Wonderful lines to quote here too.

Tarzan

IMDB

First time viewed: Yes

Current Release: Yes

A new German animation company's take on the material. It was better than I thought it was going to be. The renderings aren't exactly top notch but the story works fine. They've added in a whole thing about a meteor with magical properties that some evil corporation wants. Eh, I guess it's fine. 

Damsels in Distress

IMDB
First time viewed: No
Current Release: No
Watched With: Tyler, Tamara

Write Up.

So many quotable lines.